Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle 0 Derby 0: Ghosts of '96 begin to haunt Toon
Newcastle's seemingly inexorable march back towards the top flight is beginning to falter after Derby became the latest lowly side to hold the leaders. [LNB]Kevin Keegan's Class of 1996 infamously frittered away a 12-point advantage to hand the Premier League title to Manchester United, and Tyneside is haunted by the fear of similar complacency as the Magpies strive to regain their big-time status following the agony of relegation last season. [LNB]With nearest rivals West Bromwich and Nottingham Forest winning, the pressure was on Newcastle to reassert their authority in the promotion race. [LNB] It's not your day: Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan rues a missed chance[LNB]But Nigel Clough's Derby followed fellow strugglers Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday, who have also dented the Geordies' ambitions in recent weeks. [LNB]Substitute Nile Ranger thought he had won it for Newcastle two minutes from time when his point-blank effort at the far post was miraculously touched on to the bar by goalkeeper Stephen Bywater before the ball bounced off the line. [LNB]Derby then survived in stoppage time despite having defender Jay McEveley sent off for a second bookable offence, bringing down Jonas Gutierrez after being cautioned for a first-half tug on Ryan Taylor. [LNB]Newcastle remain unbeaten at home and are undefeated in their last 11 games, but this was the first time in six St James' Park outings that they had failed to win and their lead over West Brom, who have a game in hand, has been cut to six points and they are now only eight clear of third-placed Forest. [LNB] [LNB] High-flyer: Jonas Gutierrez is fouled by Derby's Rob Hulse[LNB]Good guy RobbieDerby boss Nigel Clough was delighted with the result but was mystified by the boos which greeted skipper Robbie Savage.[LNB]Clough said: 'For some reason he gets booed at every single ground we come to. I have never quite figured that out. I can understand that at ex-clubs and he's had a few but I think supporters should recognise what an honest player he is.'[LNB]Boss Chris Hughton, who will look to strengthen at centre back and in attack next month, admitted: 'We've got tough times ahead, teams pushing very hard behind us, and we're going to have to maintain what we've had in the first half of the season. It's testament to where we are that we have a very disappointed dressing room.' [LNB]Hughton's fresh frontline of Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands were quickly in tandem. Lovenkrands scampered down the left and crossed for Carroll, whose header fell wide.[LNB] Derby enjoyed further escapes when Ryan Taylor curled a free-kick against the bar and Lovenkrands flashed a shot across goal. Ryan Taylor then spurned a glorious opening on 19 minutes when he beat the offside trap, but not Bywater. [LNB] Tussle: Nolan (right) and Derby's James McEveley battle for the ball [LNB]Newcastle keeper Steve Harper produced a fine reaction save to deny DJ Campbell, and Steven Taylor wasted a great chance for the home side, directing his header straight at Bywater. [LNB]Clough said: 'The goalkeeper has been talked about as a possible for the World Cup. He's English, he's fit and he's playing. He's been very good indeed. We've drawn with West Brom and Newcastle in last few weeks. With performances like this one, we'll keep our heads above water.'[LNB] Hughton told high-flying Newcastle will not have to sell more players in JanuaryScunthorpe 1 West Brom 3: Golden Graham wins it... against nine-menPeterborough 4 Cardiff 4: Josh Simpson completes stunning Posh fightback with injury-time levellerCLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE AND STATISTICSAll the fizz of the Coca-Cola League: Gradi, Strachan and a first ever red [LNB]
